"A string of critics say the proposals, which were contained in the fine print of the March Budget, could also end up punishing the innocent.

"Eamonn Butler, director of the Adam Smith Institute think-tank, said: ‘Plans to allow HM Revenue and Customs to take money directly from the accounts of tax delinquents are a fundamental assault on the rule of law.

"'Next year is the 800th anniversary of Magna Carta, but the basic civil protections it gave citizens against arbitrary power are being systematically eroded."